Build the Tips, Tricks, & FAQ FilesHave a tip, trick, or a Q&A for the FAQ? Post it here.

Logged on members can hide ads!

Welcome to penturners.org!

You've found the home of The International Association of Penturners. You are currently viewing our site as a guest, which gives you limited access to view discussions, photos, and library articles.

Consider joining our community today. You'll have full access to all of our content, be able to enter our contests, find local chapters near you, and post your questions and share your experience with our members all over the world.

Membership is completely free!!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

I was turning a peppermill tonight out of a maple burl and had to fill a bunch of inclusions. I used a ground turquois and epoxy to fill them in. I add extra so I can turn it down to the correct shape and size.

My problem was this....my round nose scraper would dull in a minute or so because it was like turning sandpaper, so I had to keep sharpening my scraper. Since what I was turning was "like sandpaper", I turned my scraper over and put a nice edge right back on using the turquois and epoxy fill. It just took a few seconds and I flipped it back over and turned again.

I didn't know if this is a technique people use, or just a really stupid thing I did from drinking too many energy drinks.

Whatever works. When I first started wood turning, with zero knowledge, I used my round nosed scraper on duck calls 'upside down' for more than a year not knowing I was doing it wrong. [:I] BTW, the upside-down thing makes a smooth surface.

__________________

Frank
Mountain Home, Arkansas
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." from Animal Farm by George Orwell

Originally posted by Rifleman1776
<br />Whatever works. When I first started wood turning, with zero knowledge, I used my round nosed scraper on duck calls 'upside down' for more than a year not knowing I was doing it wrong. [:I] BTW, the upside-down thing makes a smooth surface.

I think it works best on harder woods. Sorby actually sells a scraper based on the same principle...of course theirs is a lot more difficult to sharpen and fancier to look at [;)]

I Have made a few pens by filling the holes in Arizona Cholla
with turquoise I ground up in a mortar and pestle. I shaped the entire pen with sandpaper only. I started with 80 grit and went from there. The results were great but it did take a while. I initially started with a scraper but some of the bigger pieces of the turquoise would split or break out and I wanted a variety of sizes for contrast and look. Seems the sandpaper was the best route for me. Good luck, you will enjoy the result.